Warrnambool City Council immunisation program officer Alison Elliott prepares Nick Russell, 12, for his human papilomavirus vaccine yesterday.
CANCER vaccinations to protect against human papilomavirus (HPV) will be available for boys in years seven and nine in Warnambool this month.
Vaccine Gardisil protects against two high-risk HPV strains that cause 70 per cent of cervical cancers in women and 90 per cent of HPV-related cancers in women.
Warrnambool City Council medical officer Dr John Philpot urged boys to get the free vaccination.
“We have kids running around ovals to raise awareness and money for cancer, but now we have the chance to prevent it and some people still won’t do it,” he said
Dr Philpot said a moment of pain could reduce the development of genital cancers later in life.
“Genital HPV is an exetrememly common sexually transmitted infection which effects four in five people.” Dr Philpot said.
Warrnambool obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Elizabeth Uren, who has a son in year seven, welcomed the program.
She said the three-dose vaccine was most effective in teenagers before the commencement of sexual activity.
“I would also like to reinforce the benefits of this vaccine for men,” Dr Uren said.
Students eligible for the free vaccination will recieve information at school and must have parental consent.
Warrnambool City Council immunisation program officer Alison Elliot said the program would commence on February 20.
